. >>> senate republicans have blocked chuck hagel's nomination to become defense secretary for now. democrats came up two votes short of the 60 needed to force a straight up-or-down vote on hagel's nomination. but as they are now leaving town for a week's vacation, another vote is not scheduled until a week from tuesday. if there is not, bomb bombshell revelations about hagel, republicans say they will not filibuster his nomination and he is expected to be confirmed. >>> president obama will be in chicago later on today as he continues to promote issues present inside his state of the union address. the president will talk about proposals to boost the economy, particularly the middle class. on thursday mr. obama was in decatur, georgia where he met with students and teachers at the college heights early education program. the president wants to find ways to make schools accessible to all families regardless of their income. mr. obama says early childhood education sets the stage for academic success down the road. >> the kids we saw today that i had a chance to spend time with in ma